On May 7th, Jin and Elsa were at Avalon.
Naturally, they were there to see Elsa’s older brother, Fritz. They had arrived after confirming beforehand that he would be off duty that day.
"Good to see you, Elsa. Welcome, Jin-dono."
"Welcome, Elsa-san. We are glad to have you, Jin-dono."
Fritz and Gloria were there to greet them. It seemed Gloria had also taken the day off to match Fritz’s schedule.
"Are the twins staying home today?"
Fritz, it seemed, was something of a doting uncle; he spoiled Yuu and Mio rotten whenever he saw them.
"Yes, since we’re here to celebrate your engagement today."
"I-I see."
"Having it said to my face like that makes me feel a bit bashful," Gloria added.
Lately, Gloria’s speech had softened considerably; she no longer seemed quite so tomboyish.
It must be because her relationship with my brother is progressing, Elsa thought.
As the conversation continued, Gloria mentioned that she would soon be transitioning to internal duties.
"It looks like I’ll be teaching the sword as an instructor," she said, so there was no mistaking it.
"My role isn't changing much, though my time will be split between instruction and field work," Fritz added.
By instruction, he meant teaching the Second Class students who had joined this year.
The First Class, who had been Officer Candidates, had all been promoted to executives and were now in a position to guide the new recruits.
"The Second Class doesn't just have executive candidates; there are technical staff, general affairs, accounting, and other administrative roles as well."
Fritz laughed, remarking that the place had suddenly become much livelier.
"So, what about the ceremony?" Elsa asked, bringing up the topic she was most curious about.
"It will be around summer. We’ve decided to hold it here in Avalon."
"In Avalon?"
"Yes... How should I put it? It seems we will be the very first couple to have a wedding in Avalon..."
Apparently, they were to be the landmark first husband and wife for the city.
"They said if we weren't satisfied with that, we could hold another ceremony back in our home country..."
"Ah... I see."
"So, what are you going to do?" Elsa asked again, intrigued.
"Oh, we aren't particularly bothered by it, so we think holding it once in Avalon is enough."
"I see."
Elsa didn't say anything further, and Jin felt that as long as they had no religious objections, it was perfectly fine.
"Still, I wonder if there’s some kind of suitable focal point we could use."
"...A focal point?"
Elsa caught Jin's murmur.
"Ah, focal point might be the wrong word, but I mean something to report the marriage to, or what to swear the vows before..."
"I think... I understand."
At Reinhard’s wedding, it had taken the form of reporting to his ancestors. When Jin and Elsa married, they had reported to the Predecessor and the Magus, Shuuki Tsetse.
But what about Avalon? That was the question.
"It would be... safer to avoid religious arrangements."
"You're right about that..."
In modern Japan, there were various types of weddings: Shinto, Buddhist, and Christian ceremonies.
It was impossible to unite them into one.
"Religion is the one thing I really don't want to touch."
"...I don't quite follow, but did you reach some kind of conclusion?" Gloria asked with a wry smile as she watched Jin and Elsa.
"Well, something like that..."
Since Elsa knew Jin was from another world, she figured he was likely remembering something from his original home.
"Hmm, this is difficult."
On the way back from Avalon, Jin was deep in thought inside Konron 3.
Elsa and Reiko watched over him in silence, careful not to disturb his concentration.
And then.
"That's it!"
Jin shouted, his face lit up as if a great idea had struck him.
"Dear, did you come up with something?"
"Father, have you had a flash of inspiration?"
"Yeah....A charter, or perhaps a vow. How about putting the principles of Avalon into words and taking an oath before them?"
This could be used not just for weddings, but for all official ceremonies.
"Hmm... That might be a good idea."
"Maybe I should consult Her Majesty."
"That would be best."
It wasn't clear if this "Majesty" referred to the Empress Emerita or the New Emperor, but Elsa agreed regardless.
After returning to the mansion in Loizart, Jin’s group did not go back to Hourai Island, but headed straight for the Royal Palace.
Thirty minutes later, they were in the Emperor's office.
The Empress Emerita was also there that day, providing various forms of guidance to the New Emperor.
"Welcome, Lord of Kunlun."
"What brings you here today?"
Having reached a stopping point in their work, both Majesties took a moment to speak with Jin.
"Yes, actually..."
Jin explained the idea he had formulated inside Konron 3.
"I see. You wish to codify the principles of Avalon."
The Empress Emerita correctly grasped what Jin was trying to convey.
"I’d like to make that an agenda item for the next World Conference....Do you have a draft?"
"Yes."
Jin presented the content he had prepared.
- Be righteous.
- Think for yourself and act for yourself.
- Trust and help your comrades.
- Cooperate regardless of race or nationality.
- Consistency in word and deed.
- Diligence.
- Sincerity of heart.
"...And so on."
Since Jin was not particularly skilled in such matters, he wanted to hear the Empress Emerita's opinion.
The draft was simply a collection of concepts Jin had picked up during his time in modern Japan.
However, the Empress Emerita smiled.
"Oh, these are quite good. I understand perfectly what you want to say, Jin-kun."
Although the prose wasn't entirely uniform, she understood what Jin was aiming for.
"I agree. Once these principles are finalized, it would be wonderful to display them in a frame or engrave them on a metal plate to be hung at the front of the World Conference hall."
She also understood and supported his point about using them as a centerpiece for various ceremonies.